Attenborough: COVID-19 swept the problem of climate change from front page news

Sir David Attenborough has said that as the coronavirus pandemic continues to blaze on, climate change has been swept off the front pages of newspapers around the world.

The 94-year-old reportedly said the outbreak has made the issue feel as if it is in “the distant future”.

While being interviewed on the So Hot Right Now podcast, Mr. Attenborough said the virus could make the world’s nations see that "survival depends on co-operation".

He said: "The trouble is that right now the climate issue is also seen as being rather in the distant future because we’ve got the virus to think about.

"And so what are the papers full of? The virus. Quite right, that’s what I want to know about, too.

"But we have to make sure that this issue, which was coming to the boil with the next COP meeting in Glasgow, has suddenly been swept off the front pages. And we’ve got to get it back there."

He also mentions the COP26 international climate talks, which were due to take place in Glasgow in November but which are now postponed due to the pandemic.

During the podcast he was asked whether he saw a solution to improving awareness on climate change, he said: "No, if I knew that I would be a dictator but I’m not.

"I don’t know – we, you and me, and lots of others like us have got to keep on going on about it but the clock is ticking.

"The danger of the Arctic and Antarctic warming is becoming greater day by day."

Sir David said he hopes the outbreak encourages nations to work together but also suggested this would be the first time in history that had ever happened.

His full interview will be available on the So Hot Right Now podcast this Tuesday on all supporting platforms.